Chapter 29

The sound of their applause faded away gradually. I tried but couldn't get started. This was the first time I was completely nervous, bewildered and at loss.



He’s here. He's in the crowd, and so proudly seated in the middle. Kairus Dennis is hella damn here. I was so preoccupied with Kelsey that I forgot about her brother.


What brings him here? Why is he here? This is not his territory, nor is it his forte.


The cheers and claps of the audience never make me nervous; instead, they make me feel powerful and give me the confidence to do better. I was never been pressured and right now, I feel like I am.


I swore to the universe that I would never meet or even see him again. Why was the universe going back on its word?

Why?!



The crowd slowly clapped again, and I heard Rosy murmur behind me, trying to figure out what was wrong with me.


I bit my lip and closed my eyes. Imagine that I was standing and Hope was looking around the universe.


I chuckled lightly to break the silence that surrounded me and my heart.


"This song is dedicated to everyone...to the guest who requested that I sing it today. This song fits me perfectly, but I don't think my heart does..."



"Owwww..." exclaims the audience.


"The title of this song is "It's Always Been You..."



***"Strange sensation..."
*


The crowd fell silent, and I was deafened by the silence. They were silent because they wanted to hear the gentleness of my voice...the gentle voice that calls the souls who are already sleeping as if they were enchanted.



I smiled and went on.

******
“My calamity of the spring
The fire in the blizzard
It’s you that I want to”


We began a year ago.
The year that wanted to run
Another year come
Until we can no longer chase the year
My world revolves around you dear”***



I cracked a smile. The song is about love, but my voice came out the opposite way.

**
“We might break, and tear
It’s always…. been you I want to go
It’s been you I always wanted to go…”**


I bowed after, and I didn’t looked again to the crowd. I don’t care about Kelsey anymore. I just want to leave and my feet understood it well. I simply bowed and smiled as I walked away.



"Dear, what has happened to you?” Rosy asked worriedly. I shook my head and plopped down on the couch. I couldn't even meet Rosy's gaze.


My heart has died, so why am I still experiencing pain and hatred? I expected something to change if we ever met again, but I was wrong. Nothing has changed.


My heart still know him well or maybe my mind does.


"Your voice changes....so it's good, but why does it sound... painful?"



I smiled and closed my eyes. “I don’t know it’s my first time to sing a sentimental ballad… Are we going to stay longer?” I asked her.


“Hmm…the CEO invited you to dinner.”



That means he'll definitely be there, right? I know it's been a long time, and he may have forgotten about me, but I'll never forget what he did. My heart may be gone, but the pain from him remains.


Rosy yawned as I stood up and opened my eyes. As I stood up, he became more alert and looked at me, puzzled.

“Let’s leave.” I finally decided.


”I’ll just text Mr. Rocky about it. I think he'd understand because he knows how busy we were," I said, and her eyes widened. I continued, "Or maybe you want to stay here for me-


Her pupils dilate even more. “No!" He cut me off in horror. She sighs and rolls her eyes. "What am I going to do here, girl? I'm not the guest, duh!" ”

And she walked out first. She's now twenty-six years old, and she's moodier than I am at times, which I like about him. I don't feel superior, intimidated, or uncomfortable, but he still sets a boundary for himself; when we were at work, he would always want to do his role very well.


I checked the event page after an hour. I’m glad that there’s a whole picture of the guest, and the rest of the event from the beginning till the last, and even after the mini-celevration.



I zoomed in and came to a halt in the middle.



My eyes didn’t lie at me at all, it was him. It was really him.


He looks the…same. He looks younger. While I was growing up, he was getting younger with his new haircut, clean jaw, and serious brooding eyes.

Rosy left me at my condo to go on a secret date with his public figure boyfriend. I realized that as Rosy changes from time to time, here I am my dating life sucks, and had not even begun.


Hope's boyfriend! I have another meeting with him tomorrow!



I sighed, feeling even more tired. I'm not sure why every time I have dinner with Hope's lover, my head hurts. Maybe because the way he talk and his cringe and creepy action. I don't want to see him, but...for goodness sake, he’s Hope’s boyfriend.



He and I met two years ago. He approached me in secret, and I thought he was lying until he sent me photos of him with Hope. He also explained that Hope's parents absolutely despised him, which is why it took him so long to approach me. He said he just misses hope, and he knew I had her heart, so I couldn't say no. One of my promises to Hope is that I will not deny her nor ignore those people whom she loved.


I've spent the last four years doing everything I can to make my heart happy. I believe I have already made her happy and even made me like her dream. She wanted to see the world, and the innocent people with their genuine smiles and eyes warmed my heart. This is how she wants to see things. It was her dream, and I'm the one who has to live with it, happily and blessedly.



I began to think about my own dream.



Do I have a dream? It seemed pointless to dream before because I knew I'd never achieve it, but now that I've overcome death, what exactly is my dream?


What is dream about? What is my dream? I forgot about dreams because I used to believe that if I dreamed a lot, my heart wouldn't be able to make it, but now that I have, what should I do? Where do I even begin?



The sudden notifications distract me from my deep thoughts. It was Hope's boyfriend, Hayes.



"I've just arrived and am currently resting at the hotel. I hope you didn't forget about our meeting. I just want to talk to Hope for a moment.”




I closed my eyes, "Please forgive me, Hope, and I just don't like him too.”


My phone vibrated again. He texted again.



"I know you're exhausted. I saw the article, and you look stunning in your gown. I'll see you later."


Hayes is a tall and thin man. I don’t know which part of him Hope’s like or maybe because he was there when Hopes need her? Not to judge but his voice creeps me out or maybe I was stereotyping him with his looks. His eyes are big and if he looks at it for a long time, it seems to slowly squint and it seems normal to him.







I was staring at my phone. My brow furrowed as another text message arrived from a different person.



"Hello, I hope you're not too tired. I saw you at the event and was wondering if you could spare the night and let’s have dinner?”


I don’t know you. I'm in the mood to go out today because I have a long and difficult day tomorrow ahead, but I don't know you, but since you have my phone number, perhaps I do.


This is my original phone number, and only a few people have it. Maybe, I know him too.


He texted again.


"This is Clarence. Maybe you forgot about me, but I was a guest at your brother's birthday party a few months ago."


It made me curious. I tried to scroll up and I was surprised to see that he have messages before that. When I see that I have a response, I quickly get out of bed.


Who is he?! His phone number was not saved in my phone, and I did not even remember him.


I closed my eyes. I hope I won’t regret this decision of mine or maybe I will blame this to Rosy who just left me here alone. I’m even now feel hungry!


“Okay. Is it okay here in Camerson’s Restaurant?” I replied.


The Camerson’s Resturant is jut near across the condominium. It’s safe and I can’t risk to let all the people know that I was having a dinner with someone.


He replied again. “Sure. You can chose anywhere you feel comfortable at all.”


*So, I guess this is it.
*